2008 al-Qaeda offensive in Iraq

2008 al-Qaeda offensive in Iraq occurred when the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq launched a large-scale offensive against the United States and the Iraqi government during the later stages of Iraq War. The offensive ended after a month, with no clear gains for either side.

Offensive
In April 2008, al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri called for a month-long offensive against US and Iraqi forces. Masri's announcement led to the start of a steady bombing campaign targeting the Coalition forces. On 15 April 2008, 53 people were killed and over 70 wounded in a car bombing near the Baqubah courthouse. A suicide bombing near a Ramadi kebab restaurant killed 13 and injured 20, and car bombings occurred in Ramadi, Mosul, and Baghdad. On 17 April 2008, over 50 people were killed and 55 wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the funeral of an Awakening Council militiaman. The wave of suicide bombings continued through to 19 May 2008, raising fears that remaning Sunni insurgents were regrouping following Operation Phantom Phoenix earlier that year. Neither side gained any territory by the time that the offensive ended in May 2008.